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Penny For Your Thoughts
I
was at Meijer just the other day and
in as they made wishes.
my little one wanted a ride on Sandy
My kids were enthralled
the Horse, which as you probably
and wanted to try it, so I went
know, is one of the cheapest things in
looking through the depths of
the world. I plunked her on and as she
my bag once again, but on that occasion,
happily shook the reins, I duly went
too, I could not find a single penny. (I
fishing to the bottom of my bag
did have quarters, but as I was
for a penny.
using a coin-operated washing
I had quarters, dimes, a
machine at the time, quarters
handful of mini chocolates
had a previously unmatched
(you know, in case of emergen-
value and were just way too pre-
cy), assorted wrappers, receipts
cious to literally throw down the
and hair ties, but I couldn’t
drain.)
find a single penny. I explained
One of my kids suggested we
to my little one, that, alas, I
throw in Daddy’s credit card,
had, well, too much money and Rochel Burstyn a suggestion I admitted might
couldn’t get her the ride.
have some perks (smaller bill
Luckily, it didn’t bother her
that month) but might also
that the horse wasn’t rocking and she
involve some risks (being spotted by
still considered her time on the station-
someone with no fear of water and a
ary Sandy very enjoyable, which just
penchant for identity theft), so, need-
goes to show that the best things in life
less to say, we left that wishing well with
are free. (And don’t point out that “air is some grumpy kids, unwished wishes
free” because it isn’t always. Ever bought and a vague awareness that pennies are
a bag of chips?!)
so worthless at times that people just
Another time I found myself at a
chuck them into water.
wishing well with my kids. They noticed
There are even trays at the registers
the piles of pennies at the bottom and,
in some stores for people to leave their
after one enterprising kid suggested
stray pennies for the next person to
sweeping the well, gathering the pen-
take. Why there? These trays should be
nies and taking them to the bank, I
in Meijer, next to Sandy!
explained that people had thrown them
Why am I talking about pennies?
Because, for many of us, one of the
greatest hopes for the coming year is a
deep-seated dream to become fabulous-
ly rich! So I’m taking the opportunity
to point out that riches do come with
downfalls. Like, you might have 25 mil-
lion times the price of a ride on Sandy
the horse and still not be able to actually
pay for it when your little one wants a
ride.
Of course, as the year ends, it’s a
great time to count our blessings, find
contentment in our lives and not get too
swept up with materialism anyway.
Wait a second. How is it almost 2017
already? All that Y2K hysteria feels like
just a little while ago.
I suppose there’ll be a different kind
of hysteria for people who have hep-
tadecaphobia, or fear of the number 17.
I don’t know exactly what makes them
nervous; I suppose if I lived on the 17th
floor of a building, I’d have a constant
fear about the elevator breaking, but I’m
not sure that’s it.
The numerical value of the Hebrew
word tov (good) equals 17. Wishing
everyone a good and happy new year, a
fabulous 2017!
*
guest column
Sustaining Jewish Life In Russia
R
ecently, my wife, Lynda, and I
contribution relates to the Judaic stud-
were privileged to participate in ies curriculum, those instructors and the
a World ORT mission to Moscow important STEM component.
and St. Petersburg. The opportunity to
While all of this is inspiring and validat-
experience the work of this won-
ing for the 20 percent of Jewish
derful organization and its valu-
families who receive this educa-
able educational network was as
tion, we need to be concerned
energizing as it was concerning
about those who are absent. So
regarding the sustainability of
much is at stake as we attempt to
Jewish life in Russia.
“save the world.”
Through a network of 17
The challenge we face is not
schools in the Former Soviet
only funding these 17 schools
Union (FSU) and the Baltic states, Conrad Giles,
for $9.2 million over the next
World ORT provides a highly
four years but also the wider task
M.D.
efficient and sophisticated general
of engaging the 1 million Jews
Judaic and STEM (science, tech-
remaining in this region.
nology, engineering and math) education
Beginning in 1990, many of us con-
to more than 8,500 youngsters.
tributed to the huge exodus of Jews from
While the vast majority of these stu-
the former Soviet Union and for aliyah to
dents (75 percent to 80 percent) are
Israel. While we joyfully participated in
Jewish, the quality of this educational
this process, our attention turned from
opportunity with its large Judaic compo-
those remaining Jews in the FSU.
nent attracts non-Jews as well. Funding for
Outreach by Chabad and other non-
the basic curriculum and its teachers are
educational institutions to this population
provided by the Soviet state. World ORT’s
have largely been unsuccessful. It is clear,
“Whoever saves a life,
it is considered as if he
saved an entire world.”
however, that education is the magnet to
attract and educate these youngsters while
serving as the best possible mechanism to
engage their families. World ORT’s success
is evident.
My primary concern is this: We have a
time-limited challenge. We cannot miss
this opportunity to educate a generation
of Jewish youngsters. If we fail, then we
have turned our backs on the possibil-
ity of creating a vibrant Jewish life in the
FSU. Through World ORT’s affiliate, ORT
America, Detroit will be able to participate
in this crucial effort.
Can you solve
my Tax Problem?
Yes, we can. Tax problems are
stressful – they cause loss of sleep
and enormous pressure. The biggest
mistake people make is ignoring them.
There are good solutions available, at
reasonable cost, to release levies and
often settle the debt. Unlike many
ÀUPV UHFHQWO\ FODLPLQJ WR KDQGOH WD[
problems, THAV GROSS has been
solving tax problems for individuals
and businesses in the area for 34 years.
If your bank account has been levied or
wages garnished, we will contact the
IRS or the State and work to get your
PRQH\ UHOHDVHG ,I \RX KDYH XQÀOHG
tax returns, we’ll help you get them
ÀOHG7KHUHDUHPDQ\ZD\VWRDGGUHVV
unpaid taxes. We examine the years to
determine if the statute of limitation
has run and also evaluate if the Income
taxes are dischargeable in bankruptcy
²VRPHWKLQJWD[RQO\ÀUPVGRQ·WHYHQ
know about. For both income and
payroll tax liabilities – an Offer in
Compromise with IRS and the State
is a possible way to settle the tax for
pennies on the dollar. Understand this
– you have to solve the problem – and
we’re here to help. You should call us
today – for a FREE CONSULTATION.
THAV GROSS has been solving
problems since 1982. Be sure to tune
in to Law and Reality – Sunday
mornings at 11 AM on TV20.
*
Dr. Conrad Giles is president of World ORT.
thavgross.com lawandreality.com
30150 Telegraph, Suite 444
Bingham Farms, MI 48025
000209210
December 8 • 2016
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